+ Today in this Christmas Season Mass we have the very beautiful story of a wish-come-true, a promise fulfilled, a longing and a yearning satisfied. It is the story of actually two people (although only one is mentioned in this particular gospel passage): Simeon and Anna: two elderly, faithful members of God's people and worshipers in the Temple in Jerusalem. It has been promised Simeon that he would not see death until he held the sacred and holy object of his longing and dreaming and hope in his very arms: the Christ Child and Lord of All Nations Himself: Jesus, Emmanuel! He recognized the child and his parents immediately and was filled to overflowing with praise of God and thanksgiving for God's faithfulness to him. He then uttered those now acclaimed words of simplicity which summarize and proclaim the Christmas Message: Lord, now you can let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel. It was an amazing scene to behold.
There was also there at the time, Anna a prophetess, who worshiped faithfully and daily in the Temple. She too was waiting for the fulfillment of all the prophecies: she too was promised the privilege of being the first to see Jesus at his presentation in the Temple. She rejoiced and gave thanks to God for his faithfulness and his love.
For us, God-with-us, Emmanuel, Jesus the Christ is already with us; he dwells in our baptized souls, we commune with him at each Mass we attend. We have only to recognize him more and more deeply and intensely at each Mass, and when we encounter him in each other, and in all people, when Mass is done – than we can experience the Christ-centered peace and calm and satisfaction that Simeon and Anna were the first to experience.
You Lord, O Little Child are a light to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel and the new Israel the Church!
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